The project’s brief was to remodel and extend the three bedroom two-storey house that was in a decrepit state and was in dire need of substantial refurbishment and modernisation. The client wanted a contemporary design and functionality and wished to have a garden as a continuation of the domestic space rather than ‘the outdoor’. The house is located within a conservation area in Hammersmith.

Paul McAneary Architects responded to the brief by demolishing the existing 1980’s rear extension to the property that was crumbling and dilapidated. The new extension has been added by a clean and clearly defined line to the stern that respects its heritage and gives this house a unique and uniform aesthetic. The sculptural façade has been designed as a visually striking and elegant feature.

Paul McAneary Architects has reconfigured and expanded the existing space by designing a huge open-plan. The concept driving the whole design is a 30° twist that allows physical and perceptive overlapping between the indoor and the outdoor spaces, between the garden and kitchen thresholds. This conceptual idea is manifest in the details of the faceted zinc facade and the floating external deck, being cut back to a fine angled edge.

PMA responded to the client’s wish for a clutter-free and practical house with their designed concept storage wall; a simple multipurpose solution made of economical Ikea carcasses for the interior and high quality lacquered handle-less doors for the outer surface. They designed a concealed cupboard at the end of the kitchen bench top which carefully hides the toaster, kettle and all the other kitchen clutter in the same way that the WC and utility cupboard design solutions hide away these occasional functions.

Technology is also hidden as much as possible to fully integrate all requirements so the space could remain as calm, uncluttered and contemplative as possible.

Sliding doors, combined with the large fixed frame-less panel of the facade that folds back into the depth of the building with a frame-less folded roof panel help in flooding the interiors of the house with natural light. The end result is a ‘ballet of light’, as the light casts a sharp beam into the depth of the house which dances through the space during the hours of daylight extenuated by the light coloured floor and ceiling which bounce the light to the other end of the house.

Paul McAneary Architects is a medium-sized architectural practice, founded by the British architect Paul McAneay in 2007.